KATHMANDU, Oct 6: Chief of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Sushil Gyewali said on Saturday that the NRA would provide additional amount of Rs 50,000 each for the reconstruction of earthquake-hit houses in the ancient cities like Bungmati of Lalitpur.

Addressing a program at Bungmati in Lalitpur, Gyewali said the NRA made such a decision to encourage the locals to bring back the glory of their houses in the ancient cities that were affected by the 2015 devastating earthquakes.

“We will be extending financial support for building physical infrastructures in the cultural cities like Bungmati which were jolted by the earthquakes. If we are able to maintain the uniqueness of the old cities, that will help promote tourism,” he said.

On the occasion, Pampha Bhusal, a lawmaker from the ruling Nepal Communist Party, floated the idea of constructing the tourism circuit involving Bungmati area while assuring of taking the initiative for the reconstruction of the area. “Bungmati will be enriched by preserving art, culture and cultural heritage,” Bhusal said, who belongs to election constituency Lalitpur-3.